Approximately one in five working-age adults in England and Wales were receiving Universal Credit as of May 2026, according to recent figures. This amounts to around 7.3 million people aged between 20 and 64 claiming the primary unemployment or sickness benefit.

The data, analyzed by the campaign group Taxpayers’ Alliance, highlights that 1.3 million individuals in their twenties and two million in their thirties were among those receiving Universal Credit. Additionally, about a quarter of people in their forties, roughly 1.9 million, were also claimants. In certain local areas, the proportion of those on Universal Credit is notably higher, with nearly a third of working-age adults in 15 council regions claiming the benefit. For instance, one in three people in their twenties in Blackpool were beneficiaries, as were half of over-50s in Tower Hamlets, East London.

William Yarwood, campaigns director at the Taxpayers’ Alliance, expressed concern over what he described as an “endemic” dependency on Universal Credit in some regions. He criticized current policies, arguing that ministers are making it harder for people to find employment and suggested that efforts to stimulate growth should focus on making it more affordable to hire young workers.

The rising number of claimants contributes to a growing fiscal burden. The Office for Budget Responsibility projects that the total benefits expenditure will rise from approximately £315 billion in 2024-25 to more than £400 billion by the end of the decade.

Helen Whately, the shadow work and pensions secretary, emphasized the financial strain on the country, stating that the increasing demand for benefits is unsustainable and unfair to taxpayers who ultimately fund the system.

In response, a Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson noted that about 75% of the recent increase in Universal Credit cases since July 2024 was due to claimants transitioning from legacy benefits—a process initiated by the previous government’s reforms. The department affirmed its commitment to further reforms aimed at addressing incentives that may discourage employment.

The figures underscore ongoing challenges in balancing social support with economic incentives as the government seeks to manage public expenditure and employment levels amid fluctuating demand for welfare assistance.